Four bar managers arrested in Bang Saen alcohol sale raids, police warn Saen Suk is not a "Blue Zone" - The Pattaya News

Four bar managers arrested in Bang Saen alcohol sale raids, police warn Saen Suk is not a "Blue Zone"

Sunday, 5 December 2021, 15:08

Bang Saen –

Four restaurant managers have been arrested this weekend after allegedly allowing alcohol sales and drinks at their restaurants in Bang Saen, in Saen Suk over the past weekend (December 3^rd).

The Saen Suk Mayor Narongchai Kunplome reported about a hundred officers from the Saensuk Police, Saensuk District Office, and Law Enforcement Officers raided four restaurants in Bang Saen, Saen Suk sub-district, Mueang Chonburi. The raids and inspections continued over the weekend, according to Narongchai, as officials made it clear that Mueang Chonburi and Saen Suk had not been given permission to sell alcohol by provincial and local authorities at restaurants or bars.

The raids over the weekend are aimed to make sure restaurants and tourists understand the latest Chonburi order, added Saensuk police, citing many owners claiming they thought the alcohol ban had been lifted for all of Chonburi.

The Chonburi Governor released new orders on Friday evening (December 3rd) through their Public Relations Facebook page allowing alcohol sales and drinks at qualified restaurants in the Chonburi 'Blue Zone' areas including Pattaya, Koh Larn, Sattahip, Na Jomtien, Koh Si Chang, Bang Saray, parts of Si Racha, and Banglamung.  

Unfortunately for business owners in Mueang Chonburi and other parts of the province, even popular domestic tourism spot Bangsaen Beach, that area has yet to be given permission to legally sell alcohol.

Pattaya and other Chonburi 'Blue Zones' officially allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants

Four people from four restaurants were arrested and are:

1. Mr. Pakintanawit Pongsinwattanapathorn (Manager of WARP Bang Saen)
2. Mr. Nattawat Nittayalarp (Manager of Hurt Bang Saen)
3. Mr. Alongkorn Kamwan (Manager of U-TURN)
4. Mr Teerapong Ngamta (Manager of H2M)

They are facing charges of breaking the Chonburi Disease Control Orders, specifically that alcohol sales and drinks are not allowed in restaurants. (out of Chonburi 'Blue Zones').

The unpopular alcohol bans have been in place for almost eight months and Bangsaen business owners and leaders have reportedly already requested to the governor to add the area as a blue zone officially, stating that Bangsaen is an incredibly popular tourist destination, especially for domestic Thai tourists, and the area should be granted an exception.